Winning under-par golf is a dream for many players. It’s not that difficult to shoot an excellent score on a given day. But if you’re playing well and shooting par, you could have a lot of trouble winning. Playing under par is like being in the lottery – even if you get a double-zero on your first ball, there’s still a good chance you’ll end up with something more than zero. So, don’t think of it as just winning or losing – think of it as taking the money or taking the points.
Now, that’s a good start. Let’s dive into the rest of the article!
What Is Playing Under-par Golf?
Playing under par in a golf game is when the player has a score less than par. Under par means scoring less than par by one stroke. We often see it in competitions, such as professional tournaments and amateur events, but it can also be seen in casual play. Under-par golf refers to a score that is lower than one’s handicap. This means that the golfer’s score is not adjusted to his skill level or physical ability. Under-par could also mean playing a shot where the distance between the tee and the hole is shorter than normal.
Setting The Scene!
One of the most important things you can do to improve your chances of winning under-par golf is to keep your expectations realistic. If you’re shooting 80 on the front nine, don’t be surprised if you end up with an 80 on the back. Similarly, don’t be disappointed if you find yourself with a double-bogey on each hole – it’s part of golf!
The next thing you can do to improve your chances of winning under-par golf is to focus on the process rather than the outcome. More often than not, great shots will fall short of expectations. That’s okay; just take a deep breath, focus on what you can control, and try your best to strike well. Read on, there’s more to see!
Strategies To Consider
A good way to keep your score low is to play under par. You can do this by, playing the course conservatively, taking fewer strokes than the target score, and making sure you’re hitting your fairways. You can also play to a par-like score by hitting a few good shots early in a round and then slowing down in the middle and end of the round. Doing so will avert mistakes.
Another thing that can help keep your score low is to take advantage of the opportunity to bogey or birdie every hole. This will give you more strokes under par than if you had played each hole at even-par. However, this strategy requires you to play aggressively throughout the round to make birdie or bogey on your holes.
Why Play Under-par Golf?
A common reason for playing under-par golf is by trying to make up strokes while on multiple-shot holes. For example, if you have a long drive followed by an approach shot that doesn’t get close enough, you may choose to take one or two more shots to try and reach the green with a putt.
In a tournament, you might feel pressured to make up those strokes quickly, but if you overdo it or play poorly on other parts of your round, you will end up penalized for playing below-par golf. Playing under-par golf can also result from poor course management. For example, if you are over-hitting fairway bunkers or going into out-of-bounds areas unnecessarily early in your round, you risk getting penalties for playing below-par golf.
Did you know that playing under-par golf means taking the stakes up higher? Want to learn how to play under-par golf but not sure where to start? See my post on how to play under par golf.
